A Play in Five Acts by Gabriele d'Annunzio
Translated from the Italian by Arthur Symons
Arranged for broadcasting by Dulcima Glasby
Produced by Howard Rose
Dramatis Personae: Ostasio Francesca .... Sons and Daughters of Bannino Samaritana .... Guido Minore da Polenta Biancofiore Altichiara Alda Adonella (Francesca's Women Garsenda The Slave j Ser Toldo Berardengo Viviano de' Vivii Aspinello Aersendi An Archer Bertrando Luro J Partisans of Guido Giovanni, The Lame,' known as Gianciotto"! ~ fMalatesta Paola, The Beautiful da Verrucchio Malatestino, The One-Eyed ' da Verrucchio Oddo Dalle Caminate ................ Partisans of Malatesia Foscolo d Olnano .................... Partisans of Malatesia The Merchant The Astrologer The Doctor The Jester
Act I. - A court in the house of the Polentani at Ravenna adjacent to a garden that shines brightly through a marble screen. A flight of steps leads down to the threshold of the enclosed garden. Near the steps is a Byzantine sarcophagus filled with earth, in which grows a crimson rosebush.
Act II. - A cross-shaped room, in the house of the Malatesti, which leads through a narrow closed entrance between two walls pierced by loopholes, to the platform of a round tower. The summit of the tower, crowned with engines and arms that stand out in the murky air, overlooks the city of Rimini.
Act III. - A room painted in fresco, elegantly divided into panels, portraying stories out of the romances of Tristan. Near the window is a reading desk, on which is open 'The History of Launcelot of the Lake,' composed of large illuminated pages. Beside it is a couch with many cushions of samite on which anyone leaning back can see over the whole seashore of Rimini. In the midst of the floor is seen the bolt of a trapdoor, through which a passage leads to the lower rooms.
Act IV. - An octagonal hall of grey stone with a grated door leading to a subterranean prison. Another door leads to the room of Francesca. All round are placed torchbearers of iron; on brackets are hung shoulder-belts, and different portions of armour.
Act V. - The room with the curtained alcove, the lectern with the book closed. Four waxen torches burn in the room candle-sticks, two tapers on the small table.
